Northern Knights Nick Coffield, Patrick Naish and Jack Petruccelle the leading contenders to find AFL homes in the national draft

NORTHERN Knights talent manager Rhy Gieschen is confident a strong year on the field will be reflected at the AFL draft on Friday night.

NORTHERN Knights talent manager Rhy Gieschen is confident a strong year on the field will be reflected at the AFL draft on Friday night.

“I think we’ve had a really good year from our point of view in terms of players being able to showcase what we can do,” he said.

Patrick Naish is set to be snapped up by Richmond. Picture: Getty Images

With 10 players representing Vic Metro in the trial games and five going on to compete in the national carnival combined with the fact the Knights contested finals for the first time in four years, plenty of players have been putting their hands up.

“We think we’ve got some players who will get their name called out on Friday and some others are a chance as well,” Gieschen said.

“In terms of players on clubs’ radars, there are upwards of seven or eight, it just depends on what suits the clubs’ needs.”

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Two players who have had fantastic seasons — and been thus rewarded with an invitation to attend the draft in Sydney — are skipper Nick Coffield and Patrick Naish.

“Nick has been almost flawless from the start of the season … having a fantastic year, even by his own high standards,” Gieschen said.

“From our point of view he couldn’t have done too much more. Patrick has had a really fantastic year as well. He made the All Australian team from the national carnival, had a really good school season and performed well with us at the Knights.

“I think all 18 clubs would be looking at Patrick. I know that he is hoping to go to Richmond as a father-son, but he is also happy to get his name called out and live out his dream of playing AFL football.”

Gieschen said Jack Petruccelle was another all 18 clubs would be watching closely as the quickest player in the draft and as having “probably the most exciting x-factor of any player that we’ve come across”.

Jack Petruccelle has plenty of x-factor. Picture: David Smith

“We are confident whichever club lands him on their list will support someone of his talent and ability to come into their program,” he said.

A host of others impressed throughout the season, including best and fairest winner Alex Federico and small defender/forward Ethan Penrith.

Ruckman Matthew Harman, 19, has come into consideration late after finishing the year strongly, Max Dreher has the GPS data and testing results to prove he is among the best runners in the TAC Cup, finishing third in the club’s best and fairest, while Jamison Shea, Mark Baker, Joel Naylor and Joel Grace also had good seasons.

“From a Knights point of view … we don’t determine a players’ individual season a success if they are drafted or not,” Gieschen said.

“For us it is about when they come in if they have improve their football, help them reach their full potential and walk away as the best possible footballers.

“While we wish the best and are excited about the coming draft, we are also really proud of what our top-age players have been able to achieve this year.”